Auction Report: My Eleven Favorite Watches From Only Watch 2017
It’s a very diverse group of watches that are worthy of attention for very different reasons.
Industry News – US-Brand Timex Goes Back to Mechanical After 35 Years of Quartz, with a $200 Hand-Wound Watch
For most of the youngsters, Timex is synonymous of accessible, fashion-oriented quartz watches. However, if we look back in time, Timex actually played a major role in the history of the American mechanical watch. Timex was one of the most, if not the most prominent US-based manufacture, until the early 1980s when the company made a drastic strategic move. Yet, times are changing, and without saying that Timex is about to go back to its glorious past position, it is to be noted that the US-based brand returns to mechanical, with the Timex Vintage Marlin, a hand-wound watch priced under $200. A lot to love, and also not to love… You’ll see!
Introducing: The Habring2 Felix And Erwin UK Limited Editions
A pair of time-only watches inspired by historic British horology.
Introducing: The Baume & Mercier Clifton Club Burt Munro Tribute Limited Edition
A special watch to honor an important land speed record in Indian Motorcycles’ history.
Hands-On – Anonimo Nautilo Bianco, the Dive Watch Dressed in White for Winter
Anonimo might not be the largest watch brand we know, the least we can say is that they had quite a productive year: a complete facelift of the Nautilo, some sailing editions, some colourful versions of their dive watch, some new “bronze” watches and finally, new editions of the signature military chronographs. Why such a profusion of novelties? Simply because the brand is celebrating its 20th anniversary. And because the year isn’t finished yet, here are some new pieces, the “dressed in white” Anonimo Nautilo Bianco.
Value Proposition – Review of the Minuteman RWB DLC, a Military-Inspired Watch Assembled in the United States
American Minutemen earned their nickname by being so well-prepared and ready to fight that they could assemble at a minute’s notice. I hate to admit, but it took me a while to realize just what a good name “Minuteman” is for a watch company, as it brings to mind both time and the military. Let’s go into a bit of Minuteman’s background for those unfamiliar with the company, and then dig into the details of the RWB DLC we are reviewing today.
HANDS-ON: Get in the bling – Hublot’s Big Bang Steel Diamonds is a knockout
Let’s face it, women are not buying women’s watches necessarily; they want a watch that does not discriminate, with a bit of bravado, whether by means baller or boxer. That said, the full diamond effect in every direction, of the kind that was Hublot’s 2 million Euro 44mm 145-ct Big Bang behemoth, with its baguette-laden strap, case and dial, is too chunky a statement for most women. Well, with the exception of the wife of a Vegas casino owner, who naturally felt right at home in it and swiftly claimed hers. I prefer to make like a Mayweather cornerman, not exactly all-retiring, more the fall-back of outlandish. And this ladies 38mm Big Bang Steel Diamonds has just the right proportion of diamonds to monochrome styling and height on the wrist to make that spot attainable, while It feels more unisex in fact. The black rubber Hublot hallmark strap — in this case finely lined, though the tactile sensation approaches suede rather than any noticeable ridging — sets the sports luxe tone. Followed nimbly by the enduring industrial, tool watch details of the Big Bang’s multi-material, polished and matt case that sits in eminent view on the wrist, with its six exposed titanium screws…
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EVENT: Ferrari celebrates 70th birthday with best possible party wingman, Hublot – week-long bash ensues
Usually, an event recap refers to one single event. This one, however, details a week-long bash during Melbourne’s Motorclassica that saw the town literally painted red when the Royal Exhibition Building was lit up in a bold Italian red, with Hublot and Ferrari logos stamping the iconic site. It also included the largest ever convoy of Ferraris ever assembled in Australia, and a hell of a party to reveal the new LaFerrari Aperta in the Melbourne Docklands. Last, but certainly not least, was a new watch co-designed by Ferrari and Hublot, the extremely limited Techframe Ferrari 70 Years Tourbillon Chronograph. Remember, this was a 70th. If this is what the two brands mustered for a birthday party, just imagine what they would have done for a buck’s night. Hublot has a long-standing global alignment with Ferrari and it’s as perfect a match as any between watch and vehicle, with both marques striving to change their respective niches with technology and flair. The Drive What is the collective noun for a group of Ferraris? May we suggest a ‘growl’? That’s exactly what the idyllic lake and seaside suburb of Albert Park heard when more than 100 Ferraris took to the M1 on…
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MY WEEK WITH: The Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph
A few weeks ago I had the distinct honour and pleasure of spending some time with Montblanc (and 50 or so other watch journalists) in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Now, prior to booking flights I had a decidedly foggy understanding of where Jackson Hole was and what it was all about (not coastal, mountains). And while that exceptionally broad understanding is factually correct, it doesn’t accurately encapsulate the awesome beauty of the place. Jackson Hole is a small town, on the outskirts of the Grand Teton National Park, surrounded by mountains. One American colleague told me that it’s the sort of place politicians mean when they talk about “Real America”. Confusingly, a local also wryly remarked that it’s a tough place to find a place to live because the billionaires are pushing out the millionaires. And did I mention it’s beautiful? So what does Jackson Hole have to do with Montblanc? It’s a good question, but one that will have to wait until SIHH 2018 to be answered. But given that I was making the long trek over, I thought it a great opportunity to test-drive a Montblanc watch for a while. It would have been rude not to. I opted…
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Weekend Round-Up: Rare Colors, Old Photos, And A Serious Adventure
The week’s can’t-miss stories from around the web.